Date Posted:07:07:23 02/13/08 Wed Author:Asha Subject: Re: read and decide for your self In reply to:
Wow
's message, "Re: read and decide for your self" on 21:17:33 01/21/08 Mon
I felt completely hopeless at one point too. I think quitting is one of the hardest things in life & one that I am most proud of. For me I had been using so long (over a decade) & had such a large habit (over 2 grams a day just to keep me un-sick, or more if I wanted to get at all high) that I might have died if I quit cold turkey, & if not I would have probably killed myself. I HATE when people say it's all in your head or "why don't you just quit?". It's a scientific fact that you are physically addicted & your body can no longer function without heroin. However the mental addiction can be almost just as hard to overcome. What I suggest:
1. Get something to help with or prevent the physical withdrawal symptoms such as methadone or other prescriptions. If you have low confidence in yourself find a good in-patient re-hab where they will make sure you take your medication & keep you away from dope. Make sure you find one where you WILL be heavily medicated so as to not experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
2. Throw out all your paraphenalia & your dealer's numbers etc. Make it hard for you to get dope so that it'd take a lot of work to score if you do have a craving.
3. Deal with why you started using in the first place, often depression. This can include finding a good & understanding doctor, counsellor, N/A, etc. The more support the better, you may have to try numerous things to find one that works for you & where they are not judgemental or telling you to find Jesus or that drugs are immoral etc because if you don't agree with what they are saying or you feel like they are against you it won't be of much help.
3. After you have gone thru re-hab or are on methadone etc you have to change your life a lot of you will just start using again, even if you no longer "need" to physically. Stay away from anyone or anything that will make you more likely to use. For some people this may even mean moving or going away somewhere where you don't know where/how to score. Fill up your time with things/ people you enjoy so you are not sitting around feeling bored & thinking about using. Try to find something you enjoy to replace dope with. Examples: A new girlfriend or friend who is supportive but would dump you if you started using again; a new job you like; excercise if that's your thing; videogames, reading, etc... At first you may have to replace your addiction with something else, so choose something healthier to be addicted to like sex or going to the gym. It DOES get easier as time goes on! But at first you have to really work at avoiding using. If you're thinking about using, for some people it may help to remind yourself of all the reasons why you need to stay clean - it helps if you create reasons so that you have something or someone to stay clean for, such as family, friends, a nice apartment, your health etc. Think of what you would lose if you got high, even once: your self-esteem, money, your job or place, people you love. Is it worth it just to get high, (& not even that high since it's never the same as when you started)?
4. Talk to someone, preferably someone who has quit successfully as if you talk to someone who has never used they will likely not understand & if you talk to someone who is still using or just "trying" to quit it might backfire as you might make each other want to use more, or decide to go score together. You are welcome to talk to me.
5. If you are not ready to quit nothing can make you other than if you wait until you either die, get arrested, or are hospitalized. When I was ready I just "knew" & it was much easier than my previous attempts at quitting. If you are afraid or don't think you're ready, I can give you some advice on how to be a "permanent addict" & have it affect your life & health as little as possible. I did this for quite a while because, like you, I had given up on trying to quit & thought I would never be able to. Eventually I was ready & strong enough to quit for good, (as long as I didn't have to quit cold turkey!)
